Big Trees Tours · Upper Sherman Tree parking lot
This walk is in Sequoia National Park, California, next door to Kings Canyon National Park and run with it by the National Park Service; it is not in Australia. A guide with a wildlife biology degree leads up to 14 people from the General Sherman Tree deeper into Giant Forest along the Congress Trail.
The General Sherman Tree is the largest tree on Earth by volume: the National Park Service gives it 274.9 ft (83.8 m) of height and about 52,500 cubic ft of wood. This walk starts on the paved trail down to it and then carries on into Giant Forest on the Congress Trail. It covers about 3 miles (4.8 km) in 3 hours, above 6,000 ft (1,828 m), with two hills of around 300 ft (91 m) each. It runs rain or shine.
The guide is the reason to book. Per the listing, he has lived and worked in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks since 2014, holds a degree in wildlife biology, once worked in bear management chasing black bears out of campgrounds, and has led more than 1,000 tours for NPS and nonprofit groups. Guests name him again and again: Scott, who is funny, keeps children engaged and takes the group photos. The listing guarantees sequoias, birds, squirrels and chipmunks; black bears and mule deer turn up at random. The rating sits at 4.9 from 14 reviews, and 3% of revenue goes back to the parks.
Park entry is not part of the ticket: in 2026 the entrance fee is US$35 per private vehicle (US$30 per motorcycle, US$20 per person on foot or by bike), valid 7 days for both parks, and the National Park Service says each non-US resident aged 16+ pays a US$100 nonresident fee on top unless entering with an annual or America the Beautiful pass. No reservation is needed to enter the parks. If you also want the Kings Canyon side, the General Sherman Tree is about 28 miles (about 60 minutes) by road from Grant Grove Village, home of the General Grant Tree, per the NPS; our Sequoia vs Kings Canyon guide shows how to fit both into one day.
The group meets at the Sherman Tree Trail trailhead, next to the restrooms and shuttle stop at the Upper Sherman Parking Lot.
A paved trail leads down to the General Sherman Tree, with time for photos at the base.
The walk continues on the Congress Trail, with stops for the plants, birds and animals of the forest.
Expect two hills of around 300 ft (91 m) each. Guests say the small group can set its own pace and linger at favorite spots.
The tour ends where it started, at the Upper Sherman Parking Lot.
★★★★★We had a great time on our trail walk with Scott. He was friendly, funny and kind. My husband and I have 8 year old twins, and he kept them engaged the entire time. He was extremely knowledgeable, and showed us areas on the trail, wildlife and shared facts we never would’ve come across on our own.
★★★★★Exceptional! Our Guide, Scott was informative, entertaining and very knowledgeably about all things related to Sequoia National Park. He shared many fun facts that our grandsons (almost 15 years old) and my husband and I found fascinating! [...] This tour was nature at its finest!
★★★★★At first we didn't want to do a guided tour in this national park because we thought we could see everything ourselves. Although this is true in principle, the experience is much more intense with a tour like this [...] The route itself was very good, easy doable and because we were a small group we were able to set our own pace.
★★★★★For our first visit to the Giant Forest I couldn’t be more satisfied with using our guide, Scott. It’s the best way to see something if you have limited time or unfamiliar with the area I feel. No wasted steps!!!
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No. You pay park entry separately: in 2026 the entrance fee is US$35 per private vehicle (US$30 per motorcycle, US$20 per person on foot or by bike), valid 7 days for both parks, and the National Park Service says each non-US resident aged 16+ pays a US$100 nonresident fee on top unless entering with an annual or America the Beautiful pass. Our 2026 entrance fee guide covers the passes.
It is about 3 miles (4.8 km) in 3 hours, with two hills of around 300 ft (91 m) each, per the listing. The walk is above 6,000 ft, so take it slowly if you have just arrived from sea level.
Possibly, but nothing is promised. The listing guarantees sequoias, birds, squirrels and chipmunks, while black bears and mule deer appear at random. The parks have several hundred black bears and no grizzlies, per the NPS. Our bear safety guide covers the rules.
No. The General Sherman Tree and Giant Forest are in Sequoia National Park, California. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks adjoin each other and are run as one unit, and Grant Grove Village, near the General Grant Tree in Kings Canyon, is about 60 minutes away by car. To see both on one private day, look at the private Sequoia and Kings Canyon tour.
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Three hours in Giant Forest with a wildlife biologist, from the General Sherman Tree along the Congress Trail.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon Private 1-Day TourA private SUV day through Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks (California) for up to 6, with park fees included.★ 5.0 · 1 day · from $952
Sequoia and Kings Canyon Private Day Tour from LAYour own guide and car from Los Angeles to the General Grant and General Sherman trees, ending on Moro Rock.★ 4.8 · 1 day · from $1,190
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